magicorthodoxy

Magic Book Review - The Show By Simon - for Magicians and Mentalists

David from Magic Orthodoxy provides an insightful review of 'The Show by Simon', a 112-page PDF guide aimed at magicians and mentalists looking to elevate their performances. Priced at $20 and available through Murphy’s Magic, this tutorial-style book doesn't focus on teaching individual tricks but rather on the art of storytelling, persona development, and creating a cohesive show. Simon's approach includes defining a cultural theme for the show, developing a unique stage persona, and practical advice on transforming classic effects like the Invisible Deck into meaningful performance pieces. David highlights the book's value in consolidating performance theory into a structured, step-by-step guide, making it especially useful for beginners or those struggling to structure their show. However, he notes that those already well-versed in performance theory might find some overlap with existing knowledge. The review concludes with a call to action for community engagement, inviting supporters to contribute to future content.

Key points

  • Focuses on storytelling, persona development, and show structuring rather than individual tricks.

  • Provides a framework for defining a cultural theme and developing a unique stage persona.

  • Includes practical advice on personalizing classic effects like the Invisible Deck.

  • Consolidates performance theory into a structured, step-by-step guide.

  • Best suited for beginners or performers looking to structure their show more effectively.